Columbine Black Barlow

Columbine 'Black Barlow' (Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Black Barlow') carries the darkest flowers in the cottage border. It grows to about 80cm tall and only 40cm wide, sending up wiry stems of plum purple pompoms above soft blue green foliage from mid spring. The colour is deep enough to read almost black against pale roses, and the bees find it regardless.

Why you'll love it

• A true dark flower. Double pompom blooms in deep plum purple, one of the few genuinely dark perennials that is easy to grow.
• Tall but narrow. At 80cm high and 40cm across it lifts colour into the middle of a border without crowding its neighbours.
• Bees and butterflies work it. The open double flowers are easy to land on and draw pollinators through the whole flowering period.
• Undemanding. Frost hardy, content in poor soil, and it self seeds gently so the drift thickens on its own.

Where it works best

Cottage borders and edging. Plant 30cm apart for a drift through a cottage border. Grouped in threes or fives it reads far better than single plants dotted about.

Mass planting. A block beneath deciduous trees flowers before the canopy closes over, then quietly fades back for the summer.

Pots and containers. Three plants fill a 300mm pot. Group it with evergreens so the display is not left empty when the columbine dies down.

Growing Columbine 'Black Barlow' in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun to partial shade, with afternoon shade preferred in warmer districts. This is a cool temperate, warm temperate and Mediterranean plant: Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, Adelaide, Perth, the tablelands and southern highlands. It needs winter cold to flower properly and will not perform in the subtropics or tropics.

Soil. Any reasonable soil that drains. It tolerates poor ground, though compost through the bed gives taller stems and more flowers. It dislikes sitting wet over winter.

Water and feed. Water twice a week through spring and summer while it is growing and flowering, then ease off once it dies back. A light feed of complete fertiliser as growth starts in early spring is enough.

Pruning. Cut spent stems to the base to tidy the clump, or leave a few to seed if you want it to spread. The foliage dies down over winter and reshoots in spring, which is normal rather than a sign of trouble.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes as tube stock or as 140mm plants in packs of ten. Tubes are the value option for planting a drift; the 140mm packs are further along and usually flower in their first season. Both arrive as leafy clumps rather than in bud.

If it arrives in the cooler months it may be cut back or dormant, which is normal for a perennial and not a fault. Plant it out anyway and it will shoot in spring. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to perennial plants for a cottage garden.
• See how to plan the whole bed in our Australian cottage garden guide.
• Browse other bee and butterfly plants.
• Compare more flowering plants for the border.

Common questions

How long does each plant live?

Three to four years is typical for columbine. It self seeds readily, so a planting usually renews itself if you leave a few seed heads to ripen and drop.

Is it safe around pets and children?

No. All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten, seeds included. Plant it away from areas where small children or pets graze, and wash your hands after handling it.

Why has it disappeared over winter?

It is deciduous and dies back to the crown each year. Mark the spot so you do not dig it out, and new foliage will appear as the soil warms in spring.